Means for starting vapor-converters in series.



P. H. THOMAS.

MEANS FOR STARTING VAPOR CONVERTERS IN SERIES A'PPLIOATION FILED DEC.21. 1910.

1',1 10,599. Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

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MEANS FOR STARTING VAPOR CONVERTERS IN SERIES.

' APPLICATION FILED 13170.21. 1910.

1,1 10,599. Patented Sept. 15, 19m

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WITNE88E8: INVENTOR WW aw BY A M y ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PERCY H. THOMAS, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, TO COOPER HEWITT ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF HOIBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MEANS FOR STARTING VAPOR-CONVERTERS IN SERIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

Original application filed March 8, 1907, Serial No. 361,266. Divided.and this application filed December 21, 1910. Serial No. 598,577.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERoY H. THOMAS, acitizen of the United States, andresident of Montclair, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for StartingVapor-Converters in Series, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to methods of starting into operationmercury rectifier bulbs or similar apparatus when operated in series.

The invention is more especially useful where for starting purposes acurrent from a single source is passed through a plurality ofrectifiersin series through a circuit including only metallic conductors andafterward thrown into the vaporv in the various rectifiers to break downthe negative elec trode resistance of the main operating negativeelectrode. This is often accomplished by utilizing in addition to liquidnegative electrodes, starting electrodes in cooperative relationthereto, so adjusted as to be in contact with the main negatives in thenonoperating condition of the apparatus. Current from the startingsource may then be passed through a circuit including a number of thesecooperating pairs of electrodes and by agitation of the container orotherwise a separation may be produced in one rectifier between thenegative and starting electrode which will in a suitable system ofcircuits cause an initiation of normal operation from the main positiveelectrodes in this rectifier. Direct current then passes through theremaining part of the original circuit and is in the proper direction tobreak down the negative electrode resistance of the main negativeelectrode of each of the other rectifiers when, at any convenient timeand in any convenient manner, a separation is produced between itsstarting electrode and the cooperating negative electrode. In manycases, further, it is'customary to utilize separate keepin' alivecurrents which enter each rectifier iy one or more supplementarypositive electrodes. Such current may be obtained in any suitable manneras by a separate transformer energized from the same source. It willthus be seen that where both the above described starting method and theThe present invention may be utilized similarly in connection with othermethods of keeping alive which require additional electrodes, theessential condition being that the starting and keeping alive circuitsshall have a common electrode and the circuits shall be so disposed asnot to disturb each other.

I further show modifications of the invention including means ofcontrolling the starting circuits and keeping alive currents. Referringnow more particularly to the drawings; Figure 1 shows two convertersadapted to be operated in series and to be started by the method abovedescribed and at the same time kept alive by current each from aseparate transformer winding, this current being controlled by switches,fuses,

and inductances. In connection with these circuits this figure showsautomatic means for discontinuing the starting circuits upon theinitiation of current in the work circuit. This figure shows alsospecial means for controlling the starting circuit. Fig. 2 shows threebulbs connected in series with a different means of keeping alive andstartin circuits together with various methods 0 discontinuing thestarting circuits. Fig. 3 shows constant current devices for thecircuits of Fig. .2. Fig. 4 shows a single bulb whose negative is keptalive by still a differ: ent organization of circuits. in connectionwith means adapting this bulb for starting by the method abovedescribed. Figs. 5 and .7 show modifications of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6

shows the position of the converter bulbs before starting.

In Fig. 1 the transformer primaries 48 and 48" supply the secondaries 1and 1 The primary windings in this case may be taken as representingdifferent sources of difi'erent phase, although a common primary may beused as shown for the secondaries 1, 1, 1"

' with the supplementary electrode 9 in Fig. 3. These secondaries supplycurrent to the mercury vapor rectifier bulbs 2 and 2, 3 and 4, and 3 and4, are positive electrodes, respectively for the bulbs 2 and 2, 7 and 7are, respectively, their negative electrodes, and 8 and 9, 8 and 9",are, respectively, supplementary electrodes for the bulbs 2 and 2. Thetransformer secondaries 5 and 5 supply energy for keeping the negativeelectrodes alive by the method now well known in the art, namely, bypassing current alternately through the electrodes 8 and 9 or 8 and 9,with the varying alternations, such current being returned through theelectrode 7 to an intermediate point of the secondaries 5 and '5'. Theprimaries 49 and 49 respectively supply the transformer secondaries 5and 5, and may themselves be supplied from any suitable alternatingsource. Current controlling devices such, for example, as impedancecoils are shown at 6, 6, 6, 6", for controlling the separate keepingalive current while inductances 12 and 12, maintain the operation overthe natural zero point of the supply. 'Fuses 10, 10 and 10, 10, areintroduced in the leads to the supplementary electrodes for protectionagainst overloads and switches 11, 11 and 11, 11 for opening thesecircuits. The two bulbs are connected in series through the coil 15which is connected by one terminal to the negative electrode of the bulb2, by the other to the middle point of the transformer secondary 1*. Ashort-circuiting switch 16 is provided to suppress the action of thecoil 15. A resistance 21 through a cut-out 20, controlled by a spring22, connects the lead of the positive electrode 4 with the supplementaryelectrode 9, and carries the usual starting current. The resistance 17in series with the cut-out 19 connects the electrode 7 of the rectifier2 The switch 18 is provided for short-circuiting the, resistance 17 whenthe latter is not required. The coil 13 is shown connected by oneterminal to the negative electrode 7, of the converter 2" and by theother'electrode/to the work circuit 27. A switch 14 is provided forsuppressing the action of the 13. The coils 13 and 15 may either or bothtperform the function of maintaining the flow of current uniform thusbridging the zero tion of the lead devices more uniform. Ashort-circuiting conductor 40 including a plug switch 23 and switch 26bridges the load 27 By opening the switch 26 the resistance 24 andinductance 25 are introduced in this circuit. Either the resistance orthe inductance may be given a negligible value.

The operation of the circuits of this figure is as follows: In theinitial non-operating position bulbs 2 and 2, which are movably mounted,rest in such a position that the mercury in the electrodes 7 and 9 and7' and 9' make contact. The cut-outs 20 and 19, are closed, since thecoil 15, whose magnetism controls these cut-outs is denergized. Theright hand half of the transformer secondary 1, upon the application ofelectrical supply, passes an alternating current through the circuitincluding the resistance 21, the cut-out 20, the electrode 9, theelectrode 7, the cut-out 19, the resistance 17, or the switch 18according to whether 18 is open or closed, the electrode 9, theelectrode 7, the coil 13 or the switch 14, according as 14 is open orclosed, the switch 26, or the resistance and inductances 24 and 25,according as 26 is open or closed, the plug switch 23, the conductor 40,back to the I then the transformer secondary 1 will pass current throughthe positive electrodes 3 and 4, and deliver over the rest of theoriginal starting circuit direct current from the negative electrode 7in the usual manner in such rectifiers, the operation being maintainedover the zero points of the supply by the coil 15 or the coil 13 or byboth coils, or sometimes by the coil 25. Now, upon moving the rectifier2 until a separation occurs between the electrodes 9 and 7, the negativeelectrode resistance of 7 will be broken down by'the direct current justdescribed which evidently must pass in the right direction foraccomplishing this operation, and together with the transformersecondary 1 establish the normal flow of current. Thereupon, the coil 15energizes the cut-outs 19 and 20 and opens the auxiliary starting con-5;, be energized, the separate keeping alive appgratus will givestability to the operapoints of the wave and rendering the opera-v .ton."

If the apparatus be suitably designed the switches 11, 11 and 11, 11",may be left in during the starting of the rectifiers, if so desired.Should by an chance the normal current which passes through the negativeelectrodes 7 and 7 become transferred to 8 or .thefull operating currentpas es through the keeping alive transformer which may I then beprotected by the fuses. Such transfer is more likely to take placeduringthe starting conditions.

The resistance 17 serves the purpose of controlling the startin currentwhich flows after the initiation 0 operation from the electrodes 3 and4. In some cases this resistance may be dispensed with. Similarly, theresistance 24 and the inductance 25 can be made to control the totalstarting current and may serve to protect the work circuit 27. Incertain cases the resistance 17 performs important functions. When.aplurality of bulbs are operated in series supplying direct current to awork circuit from an alternating current source, including some devicefor maintaining current constant, there is a tendency for an excessivestarting current under certain conditions, for example, after thestarting of the first bulb, which evidently short circuits the originalstarting resistance and withdraws its current controlling power. Aconstant current alternating supply is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. With suchan arangement, adapted to the operation of a plurality of bulbs, thedevices depended upon for producing constant current are adjusted togive a certain current with all bulbs operating. If now a single bulb bestarted alone, the constant current devices will produce therein acurrent greater than the normal current by a factor equal to the totalnumber of bulbs. Thus, during the starting operation if only onestarting resistance be used and this in connection with the firstbulb tobe started there may be a considerable excess current flow through thestarting circuits beforethe establishment .of normal operation in" theother bulbs. Thus in Fig. 1, resistance 17 is adapted to controlstarting currents even after the resistance 21 has been cut out by thestarting of the bulb 2. The same principle may be applied to three ormore bulbs, the temporary starting connection on each bulb including astarting resistance. The resistance 24 may serve the same generalpurpose as the resistance 17 in certain cases.

It may sometimes be convenient to have the controlling switches 11, 11and 11 11, open during the initial starting conditions and to have thesame automatic apparatus which discontinues the starting connectionsclose these switches and thus apply the supporting power of the keepingalive circuits after the starting period is completed since deleteriousaction in the keeping alive currents is more likely to happen at thistime. This arrangement is shown in Figs. 5 and 7 where coil 15 of Fig.1, at the same time that it operates the cut-out 19, closes thecooperating pairs of contacts 46 and 47, which take the place of theswitches 11 and 11, being connected, respectively, to the electrodes'8,

9, and 8, and 9, and the fuses 10, 10, 10, 10, through the lead wires45.

In Fig. 2, the transformer secondaries 1, 1 and 1", which may beenergized from any suitable primary, normally pass current through thepositive electrodes 3 and 4, 3 and 4, 3 and 4 and the coil 13 to thework circuit 27 as described in connection with Fig. 1, while the coils28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28 serve to store energy from the supply anddischarge the same through the nega-. tive electrodes 7, 7, and 7", forthe purpose of steadying the operation of the rectifiers 2, 2, and 2 Theresistances 27, 27, 27 27 27 27", serve to control the energy sup-fplied from the transformer secondaries to the coils just mentioned,while the electrodes 8 and 9, 8 and 9 8 and 9? provide a short path forthe discharge of these coils during periods of low supply voltage. Sincethese coils must discharge at the time when the supply is low theybridge the periods when there is a tendency for'the apparatus to ceaseoperating and steady the system. In the starting of this system, whichis carried out according to the method described in connection with Fig.1, current is assed from the right hand half of the trans ormer;secondary 1 through the resistance 27 the electrodes 9 and 7, thecut-out 30 and the conductor 32, the electrodes 9 and 7, the conductors31 and the plug switch 29, the electrode 9 and 7 the coil 13 through theload back to the transformer secondary 1. In the start-ing condition therectifiers must be in such a position that the mercury between the pairsof electrodes 7, 9, 7 9, 7 9" are in contact.

The starting position of the rectifiers is shown in Fig. 6, in which asa result of the tilted position of the. container, the electrodes 7 and9 are joined by the mercury therein. In starting, the containers may beput into the starting position by hand, all but one being held therewhile the starting of the other is accomplished, and then being allowedto return to the operating position. In this case, the restoringforcemight well be gravity. As before, the repeated movement of therectifier 2, causing separation between the electrodes 7 and 9 willultimately start a direct current through the electrode 7 in the manneralready described. The other rectifiers may then be started upon directcurrent. By introducing the coil 41 in the lead to one ofthe positiveelectrodes, as 4, of the bulb 2", the cut-out 30 may be opened upon theinitiation of normal current flow through the bulb 2; thus, deenergizingthe starting means for this bulb. Similarly, with any bulb, as, forinstance, 2.

Fig. 3 represents the supply circuit for the transformer secondaries 1,1 and 1 of Fig. 2, the secondaries 1, 1 and 1 pf Fig. 3 represent thesimilarly numbered arrangements of 2, the primary of these threesecondaries is shown at 50. At 51 is shown a variable choke coil which,when controlled by current in 50-and the counter weight 53 through thevariable radius lever arm 52, serves to maintain constant current fromthe supply. This general system is applica ble to the operation ofseries are lamps and and serves to store energy in the core of thewinding 36 from current passing from the supply to the electrode 9 whichenergy can be dischargedthrough the coil 36 and the electrode 9 to theelectrode 7 as already described. By this means, the current takenthrough the resistance 39 can be much less than by the arrangement ofFig. 2, since by properly proportioning the coils 36'and 37 the currentin 37 may be made less than that in 36 which has a minimum effectivevalue in virtue of the qualities of the negative electrode 7. Otherwise,the apparatus of Fig. 4 operates as described in connection with Fig. 2.The means whereby the containers are 7 made movable are indicated inseveral figures by the knife edges 54, 54, or the trunnions 55 and 55.

It is not intended that this invention shall be limited to the specificorganization of circuits shown in connection with the figures, but isapplicable to any modifications thereof involving the central idea of acommon use of electrodes for starting series operated bulbs with thealternating and direct current and for separate keeping alive purposes.

This application is a division of my Patent 984,248, February 14, 1911.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination with threeserially connected mercury vapor rectifiers, a work circuit, analternating supply, and connections between said rectifiers and betweensaid rec-' tifiers and said work circuit, ofastarting circuit for one ofsaid rectifiers connecting the cathode of a second rectifier to astarting electrode in said first'named rectifier, a shunt around thethird rectifier and a starting electrode with connection to the supplyin each of said first named and said third named rectifiers.

2. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination with threeserially connected mercury vapor rectifiers, a work circuit andconnections between said rectifiers and between said rectifiers and saidwork'. circuit,

of a starting circuit for one of said rectifiers connecting the cathodeof a second rectifier to a startin electrode in said first namedrectifier, a shunt around the third rectifier and a starting electrodewith connection to the supply in each of said first named and said thirdnamed rectifiers and cut-outs in said starting circuits.

3. In a system of electrical distribution the combination with aplurality of serially connected rectifiers, each comprising an exhaustedcontainer, main anodes, a cathode and a starting anode therein, analternating supply for each rectifier and a connection from said sourceto said starting anode, of starting means comprising shunts to all butone rectifier and means for interrupting said shunts in succession.

4. In a system of electrical distribution the combination with aplurailty of serially connected rectifiers, each comprising an exhaustedcontainer, main anodes, a cathode and a starting anode therein, analternating source for each rectifier and a connection from said supplyto said starting anode, of starting means comprising shunts to all butthe first of the rectifiers and automatic means for opening saidstarting shunts.

5. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of aplurality of vapor electric rectifiers, each comprising an exhaustedcontainer, main anodes and a main cathode therein and a startingelectrode, a work circuit, connections between said rectifiers andbetween said rectifiers and said work circuit, a connection between astarting electrode of one rectifier and its source of current and ashunt on another rectifier connecting the cathode of said first namedrectifier to the starting electrode of said second named rec-- 6. In asystem of electrical distribution, the combination with a plurality ofvapor rectifiers, each comprising an exhausted container, main anodesand a cathode therein and two supplementary electrodes therein, analternating source 'for each rectifier, connections from the source tothe main anodes and from the main anodes through resistances to thesupplementary electrodes and connections between said supplementalelectrodes and said cathode, serial connections between said rectifiersand a work circuit fed thereby, of starting means consisting of meanspermitting separate tilting of the several rectifiers producing contactbetween the cathode and one of the supplemental electrodes, shuntsaround all but one of the rectifiers connecting one of its contactingsupplemental electrodes with the cathode of the prior rectifier andmeans for opening said shunt-s.

7. In a system of electrical distribution in combination with aplurality of serially operated mercury vapor rectifiers, each comprisingan exhausted container, main anodes and a cathode, and supplementalanodes therein, an alternating source for each recti: fier, a Workcircuit and connections between said work circuitand said rectifier,keeping alive circuits for said rectifiers individually and a separatestarting circuit for a rectifier comprising a connection between thesupply and a supplemental anode separate from 10 and in addition to thekeeping alive circuit for said rectifier and a cut-out in saidadditional circuit.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York,this 20th day of December, A. D. 1910.

PERCY H. THOMAS.

\Vitnesses:

\VM. H. CAPEL, THos. H. BROWN.

